Game of Thrones Theory That Drogon Is Khal Drogo

Game of Thrones: We Want This Weird Theory About Drogon to Be True

Among all the jaw-dropping moments in the Game of Thrones final season premiere is the long-awaited moment when Jon Snow finally rides a dragon. The secret Targaryen rides Rhaegal — the dragon named for his father, Daenerys's much-older brother Rhaegar — while Dany rides Drogon, named for her late husband, Khal Drogo. Although it is a seriously epic scene, it is immediately followed by an unintentionally funny one: as Jon kisses Dany following their shared flight, he accidentally meets Drogon's gaze, and the dragon gives him an . . . interesting look. One of the theories floating around about this awkward moment? Drogon isn't just named after Khal Drogo — he's the reincarnation of the Dothraki warlord.

At least one member of the Thrones crew has this as her own personal theory of Drogon's backstory. Sound designer Paula Fairfield told Time that she crafts Drogon's sound palette around the idea that he is, in fact, a reincarnation of Khal Drogo.

"My story of Drogon is he's the reincarnation of Khal Drogo, [Dany's] hot husband from season one," she explained. "That relationship I always have in mind when choosing Drogon's [sound] palette."

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Adding credence to the theory: Drogo is the dragon who gives Jon Snow that much-memed weird look while Jon and Dany are making out in the season eight premiere. If he is really a reincarnation of Khal Drogo, it's absolutely reasonable (and absolutely hilarious) that he would be making a face at his wife's new boyfriend/secret nephew. Dany's dragons were hatched out of Khal Drogo's funeral pyre, too, giving them yet another link with her late Dothraki husband.

As entertaining as the theory is, though, it's probably not true. In HBO's official behind-the-scenes featurette for the episode, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss explain that the dragons — Drogon included — actually like Jon; Drogon's expression is one of approval, not disapproval.

"Seeing Jon and Dany on the dragons together is a Jon and Dany moment, but it also seeds in the idea these creatures will accept Jon Snow as one of their riders," Weiss said. It's not a look of hostility, then, but an odd moment of acceptance into the very exclusive dragon-approved club — even if Jon is still incredibly awkward around the dragons.